Big Ten issues statement on USC's fake punt strategy
The Big Ten issued a statement Sunday regarding the USC Trojans and head coach Lincoln Riley using backup quarterback Sam Huard, donning a No. 80 jersey, to run a fake punt against the Northwestern Wildcats.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared the statement on X.
“During Friday’s Northwestern vs. Southern California football game, with 13:58 remaining in the second quarter (4th & 6), USC #80 (Huard) lined up 13 yards in the backfield within a punt formation and completed a 10-yard pass,” the statement read. “A second USC #80 (Johnson) is listed on the Trojans roster and punted twice in the contest.
“NCAA Football Playing Rule 9, Section 2, Article 2 is labeled ‘Unfair Tactics’, with paragraph ‘d’ stating: ‘Two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game.’ If a foul was identified when #80 (Johnson) entered the game as a punter, a Team Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty would have been assessed resulting in a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot. The Big Ten will continue to review the situation with both institutions.”
Top 10
- 1New
Brian Kelly, LSU
Remain at odds
- 2Hot
Bowl Projections
Full list of postseason matchups
- 3Trending
Predicting Hoops Top 25
Big changes for AP Poll
- 4
YouTube TV
Update emerges on ESPN dispute
- 5
College Football Playoff
Predicting 12-team bracket
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
It’s important to note that USC would not and should not have been flagged for the fake punt. Huard lining up at punter in No. 80 and throwing a completion to wide receiver Tanook Hines on a 4th and 6 to keep an eventual touchdown drive alive was a legal play. Rather, the penalty would have come the first time real punter Sam Johnson, also wearing No. 80, appeared on the field as a punter. That would have occurred with just over 5 minutes remaining in the first half and USC facing a 4th and 21 from the Northwestern 44-yard line. Johnson shanked a 23-yard punt to give Northwestern the ball at its own 21-yard line, from where the Wildcats went three-and-out.
The rule states that once Huard lined up as a punter, he is the only No. 80 who can enter the game as a punter for that game. The argument could be made that Huard only lined up as a quarterback, since he never punted, but there are rules regarding establishing kicking formations and qualifying as a punter/kicker.
